The 30th International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality was successfully organized by the Monastic Brotherhood of Bose in Northern Italy, between September 3 and 6, 2024. The Conference was dedicated to the life and work of St. Basil the Great, and was entitled “Basil the Great, Teacher of Christian Life”.
During the Conference, participants had the opportunity to consider how the legacy of Basil the Great continues to inspire contemporary Orthodox theology and inter-Christian cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on his spiritual teaching and his contribution to the strengthening of communion between the local Churches. Distinguished theologian Fr. John Behr reminded that maintaining the unity of faith and of the society was a central point in the work of St. Basil, while Fr. Agapie Corbu stated that asceticism, as presented by St. Basil, can be a “natural monasticism” where the believer’s body becomes the monastery of his soul.
Among the speakers of the Conference there was the Rev. Archimandrite Dr. Amphilochios Miltos (Secretary of the Holy Metropolis of Demetrias and Research Associate of Volos Academy), who, officially representing the Church of Greece, made a presentation on the topic: “Unity and Communion of the Churches within the Christian Ecumene in the life and work of Basil the Great”. In his speech, Fr. Amphilochios analyzed the role of Basil the Great in ensuring the unity of the local Churches in his time, reminding also the contemporary challenges for Christian unity.
At the same time, the Research Associate of the Academy, Dr. Nikos Kouremenos, moderated one of the sessions of the conference, where nun Chiara Curzel and Dr. Nicu Dumitrascu participated. In this session, Sister Chiara analyzed the sources that shed light to the biography of Basil the Great, highlighting the importance of his personal correspondence and the reports of his friend, Gregory of Nazianzus. Prof. Dumitrascu, on the other hand, focused on how Basil the Great faced the political and social challenges of his time, stretching out his role as a leader not only in the Church, but also in society.
The 30th Conference on Orthodox Spirituality was another important opportunity to maintain and strengthen inter-Christian relations, promoting the continuous dialogue for unity and communion between the Churches. Volos Academy for Theological Studies warmly thanks the Monastic Brotherhood of Bose for the honorable invitation and for its contribution to the continuous promotion of theological dialogue.
